Weekly Round-Up - Week Ending on 4/5/2013

Every week, we're bringing you the best - the most interesting, exciting and informative news, articles, studies and blog postings from the week before. Whether you would rather listen to all the general information about happenings around the country, partake in some celebrity gossip, expand you knowledge about scientific research in health and fitness, or connect with another person on a similar journey towards leading a wholesome life, we've got you covered.

We scour the web for the choicest material and consolidate it all in one place so you don't have to. Enjoy!

Top News

NBC News reports that, “a stunning 80 percent of U.S. teens are eating diets that put them on a clear path to heart disease.” Pretty concerning, especially because teens are eating way too much fat, salt and sugar, and not nearly enough fruits and veggies. The lack of nutritious food intake then translates into an increase in obesity and overweight rates, which means teens are fast on the path to self-destruction.

Subway tops the list as the healthiest choice for the little ones. The worst offender? Olive Garden, whose kid’s meals pack a whopping 780 calories on average. Check out this article to find out where your favorite restaurants fall in line.

Articles

The star and judge of contestants on NBC’s hit show “The Voice,” has battled her weight countless times over. Well, this time she thinks her weight loss is in the bag. Check out this article for her tips and secrets.

Most Americans are far from suffering from starvation, at least as a general rule. They eat tons of food, but the food lacks many of the key nutrients they need for a healthy diet. In fact, nutritionists say most of the food Americans eat on a daily basis are devoid of iron, Vitamins A and C, Folic acid and much more. Check out this article for more of the dish on this concerning issue.

Blog Posts

“10 Health Tips to Take From the French”
via: Boldsky.com
By: Anwesha

Despite the long-time differences between the French and the Americans, it doesn’t hurt to take a step back and ask ourselves why they always look so trim and fit while many of us are stuck battling our weights. That’s why you should check out this slideshow post. It showcases some of the best things the French are doing that may be responsible for their almost-always healthy BMI - tips Americans could do with applying to their own lives to move away from an ever-growing obesity rate.

Lately there have been quite a few studies indicating that people who attempt to lose weight in the company (and with the support) of others are more likely to succeed - and maybe even have some fun doing it. This blog tells all about the trend, why its making headlines and why it may actually work.

There are many, many great blogs out there. But sometimes bloggers who focus on only product reviews get overlooked, despite having an engaging writing style and sharing honest opinions. That’s one of the major things that’s attractive about Andrea’s World. Blogger Andrea Smith shares honest opinions of many great products. This week, she talked about Shari’s Berries, which gave her the opportunity to try a Fruit Club for a few months. What the heck is a fruit club? Check out her blog to find out.

Every time you open up one of Arlene’s blogs and start to read, you’d be hard-pressed not to chuckle aloud and smile a little. A humorous wordsmith, Arlene uses her Wednesday post to share about her struggles with coming to terms with the fact that she has to eat less and less the more weight she loses. We’ve all been there, so reading an open discussion about that from another person shows us that others out there understand how much of a journey weight loss can be.

“Spring: Is That Really You?”
via: Running with the Girls
By: Jennifer Boudreau

For many of us, spring is really starting to rear its pretty head, which means that the “its-too-cold-to-exercise” excuses are finally going to have to take the back burner for a while. Sharing your journey, what you eat, how far you run and why you do it is a great way to stay motivated. Check out the creative way that Jennifer does that in this post, breaking down her exercise day-by-day as spring weather rolls in - and in a way that will have you curious to read more.

Studies

“Beneficial effects of a higher-protein breakfast on the appetite...”The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

A new study indicates that people who consume protein-rich breakfasts may be less likely to snack throughout the day and may have an improved quality of diet overall, leading to more weight loss. Researchers found that the higher the protein-content in the breakfast, the fuller the subjects felt. Furthermore, their brain signals may be altered to control food motivation and reward-driven eating behavior.

According to a new study, people who consume fiber-rich diets may be less likely to suffer from a stroke...pretty significantly. More specifically, the research reveals that for every 7-gram increase of fiber intake people can see up to a 7 percent decrease in first-time stroke risk.

Women who visit their local Starbucks often may have a decreased risk of developing certain types of breast cancer, according to a recent study. The study, conducted in Canada, found that women who drank more than 5 cups of coffee per day were 29 percent less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer.

People who partake in only grains and veggies and avoid meat may be less likely to develop ischemic heart disease, according to a new study. In addition, vegetarians typically had a lower BMI and lower cholesterol levels.

A new study suggest that children of highly-educated parents will eat healthier, more nutritious food. Low-income kids were the most likely to eat processed foods. Even parents with a medium income are less likely to feed their little ones fruits and vegetables, suggesting that perhaps the low cost associated with processed foods may play a role in what parents can afford (and do) feed their kids.

A new study reveals that not only are people more incentivized to lose weight when dollars are on the line, but they also are more likely to succeed if thrust into a competitive environment. Corporate wellness programs, which often conduct weight-loss competitions among employees, have long been gaining momentum. Now, other sites such as DietBet.com, which incentivize people to lose weight through competition as well, are on the fast-track to popularity.

Caitlin is a journalist by trade and an avid runner. She is passionate about maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle and encouraging people to engage in common-sense eating. Caitlin believes in living a well-rounded life, to include balancing time with family, friends, fitness and food.